We cruised the early morning light enjoying the sunrise casting warm tones on the cliffs of the Sierra de la Giganta. Several times bottlenose and long-beaked common dolphins came near the ship with Isla San José in the background. A light breeze developed a two-foot swell, so we changed plans and entered the very quiet waters of Halfmoon Bay at Isla San Francisco. Photo instruction sessions were presented as well as time for guests to learn more about their own cameras. Here we were able to paddleboard, kayak, and explore the undersea realm of the Sea of Cortez, all on this very first day of our voyage.

Snorkelers entered the water soon after lunch. Sergeant majors gathered near the surface. Blue-and-gold snappers and grunts swam in schools, while damselfish guarded their algae-covered rocks, and reef cornet fish cast a suspicious eye on everyone that that passed. The beautiful crown of thorns sea star impressed everyone who saw it. Back on shore, people beachcombed through broken shells, freckled porcupine fish that drift onto the beach, and assorted bones and rocks.

The next round of activities included hiking up to a minor peak that overlooked the entire bay, investigating the evaporation ponds that local fishermen use to acquire their salt for salting fish, and exploring a ridgeline. Photographers enjoyed the time to be with new friends with similar interests and capture images with the instruction and help from professional photographers. Others took advantage of the freedom of heading out into the bay kayaking wherever they wanted. Those new to paddleboards became a bit more proficient at scooting along on the water from an ever-more-stable platform. One could pursue any or all of these activities throughout the afternoon. In late afternoon a reddish egret walked near the landing, fishing at the shoreline. 

During cocktails and dinner the ship made way to the north and into the night in anticipation of more adventures.